Description
Book SynopsisA selection of true-life dramas that chronicle the perils and misfortunes faced by deep-sea sailing ships of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It relates the dangers faced and the battles waged, and all too often lost, against the hazards of the sea. Shipboard work was hard and often routinely dangerous for crews who bore the extraordinary hardships as their duty to obey their captains and drive their ships to a safe port to discharge or take on cargoes. From remarkable voyages, mutinies, hoaxes, curiosities and disease, to messages in a bottle, this book has a fund of amazing tales and will engross the reader - maritime historian, sailor (whether retired , current or armchair), or anyone with an interest in the sea and tales of adventure.
Trade Review`…is part drama but all factual record of those years when shipwreck was commonplace, taken mainly from the Casualty columns of Lloyd’s list newspaper. Great disasters…are reported, plus many others, in this weighty book; hours of discovery await the armchair sailor or maritime historian. There is treasure here…’ Dog Watch -------------------- 'I would highly recommend this book to our readers'. Shipping Today and Yesterday -------------------- '...provide an eye-watering record of stranding, injury, mutiny, disease, murder, disaster and various other calamities from the heyday of deep-sea commercial sail. ...also provides a few interesting snapshots into the day-to-day life of sailors, including what they ate and what they encountered on reaching their exotic destinations'. Lifeboat -------------------- '...a pleasure to read, well written and truly captivating. ... A perfect Christmas read for any who enjoys maritime tales of adventure'. Sea Breezes -------------------- 'This is a veritable treasure chest of, as the sub-title says, maritime casualties, calamities and catastrophes'. FLASH -------------------- '...there will be much interest for you...the mix of black humour, harrowing witness accounts and tall tales is actually rather apt for a work on maritime culture and history'. Nautilus Telegraph -------------------- 'If you're looking for dramatic seafaring yarns then Graham Faiella's book is stuffed full of them. ... Here are stories of shipwrecks, disease, bizarre accidents, pirates and of some remarkable survivals. ... This is a fascinating book to dip into and a helpful reference work for those who want a greater appreciation of the dangers our ancestors faced at sea.' Who Do You Think You Are
